Do I Need Collateral for a Bail Bond?

It can be quite a confusing time for anyone dealing with the need for a release from jail, whether for themselves or a loved one. Fortunately, our jail systems work closely with local bail bond agencies, giving inmates and others an opportunity to get out of jail and await their scheduled court hearing from home. With bail bond services, there is no need to miss work and be reprimanded or worse, fired, nor miss important familial responsibilities that require your attention. Best of all, bail bonds allow individuals to get their legal defense in order prior to their court dates, which increases their chances of avoiding the maximum penalties for their criminal charges.

But as mentioned, bail bonds, regardless of all their benefits, can also be quite confusing. A common inquiry surrounding the bail bond industry has to do with collateral. Many people are misguided on the terms and conditions of bail bonds, collateral, and financial liabilities.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about bail bonds, including what collateral is and when you may need it for a release from jail.

24 Hour Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600
24 Hour Bail Bondsman 317-876-9600

Explanation of Collateral

Collateral simply refers to a person’s assets that can be translated into cash, and thus, adequate to secure a debt. A person will provide collateral in exchange for a service (such as a bail bond), and if they cannot cover the terms and conditions of the contract (a bail bond agreement), they will forfeit their collateral, and the service provider (a bail bond agent) will still be able to collect financial restitution for the value of the collateral. If the payee does meet the terms and conditions of the contract, the provider returns all collateral once the case is closed.

Types of Collateral

The most common types of collateral are real estate and vehicles, as well as, bank accounts, bonds, stock, cash, and more. The type of collateral put up by an individual is at their own discretion, and largely depends on how much debt they need to secure and what they are willing to lose if things go wrong.

Using Collateral for a Bail Bond

Most bail bond companies do not require collateral. Collateral is typically applied for high-profile or egregiously-expensive bonds. Rather than collateral, most individuals need to be employed, have reliable income or cash, and a good reputation within the community to be granted a bail bond. Not sure you can afford a bail bond? See our blog, “Your Options for Covering the Cost of a Bail Bond” to learn what you can do. Talk to a licensed and insured bail bond agent for trusted advice on paying for a bail bond in Indiana.

Need to Get Someone Out of Jail Today?

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust. We also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour. And don’t forget that right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Your Options for Covering the Cost of a Bail Bond

If you are preparing to bail a friend or loved one out of jail, it is wise to learn all your payment options since you will be the co-signer on the bail bond agreement. This agreement will hold you fully responsible for paying back the entire bond premium if the defendant fails to appear for court. Continue reading to learn how you can come up with the funds to pay for a bail bond, and which methods of payment are accepted at local bail bond company.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bail Bond Basics

The United State government presumes we are all innocent until proven guilty. As a response to this amendment, most individuals who are arrested are given the right to bail. This means they pay the court bail, either cash or collateral, in exchange for a release from jail. Most often, bail bond companies only work with liquid assets. This includes cash, as well as, certain types of liquid collateral, namely property. So what does this mean for someone who wishes to obtain a bail bond? It means they have options for how they want to cover the cost of a bail bondsman’s services.

Raising Funds for Bail Bonds

When obtaining a bail bond from a local agency, you will only be required to pay a set, state-regulated percentage of the total bail premium set by the judge. For example, if a judge sets bail at $5,000 and a bail bondsman charges 10%, you will be a non-refundable fee of $500 for a bail bond. In the case that your friend or loved one does not appear for court, you will be required to pay the remainder of the $5,000 back to the bail bond company because they fronted that amount to get the defendant released from jail.

Payment Arrangements

Most bail bond companies do not offer any type of payment arrangement or financial assistance. As mentioned, they generally work with cash, which means their standard accepted methods of payment include cash, money orders, debit card transactions, and sometimes bank checks. If you decide to put up your personal collateral, they will use documents such as deeds to secure the deal.

Finding money for bail is not always easy. You can ask to borrow money from friends and family, or take out a bank loan or payday loan. You can also pick up extra hours at work, sell some of your belongings, or get a second, part-time job. If you are having trouble coming up with the funds for a bail bond, simply contact a local and trusted agency that offers the lowest state-regulated fee.

Get 8% Bail Bonds in Indianapolis!

Right now, Woods Bail Bonds is currently offering 8% bail bonds! This is the lowest rate in years, and only available here! That means you only pay 8% of your total bond amount, rather than the standard 10 to 15% rates required across the state. In order to qualify for this low rate, you must meet certain criteria. Best of all, we serve over 33 Indiana counties with reliable, 24 hour bail bonds, even on National holidays. Call 317-876-9600 to talk to a friendly and knowledgeable Indiana bail bondsman to learn if you can qualify for 8% bail bonds in Indiana!

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

What to Do for an Active Arrest Warrant in Indianapolis

The best advice a bail bondsman can offer a person who is interested in learning about an arrest warrant for themselves is to never ever ask a police officer! That is, unless you do not mind being arrested on the spot if a warrant comes back in your name.  A better approach would be to discretely search for an arrest warrant first, and then set a plan into motion to manage the warrant responsibly. This might involve arranging days off from work ahead of time, and then prearranging a bail bond to avoid a long jail stint.  You can comfortably cope with a warrant if you choose the proper route upon discovering one for your arrest.

Continue reading to learn how to check for active arrest warrants in the privacy and safety of your own home, and who to call for trusted prearranged bail bonds.

Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Arrest Warrant Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Respond AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

It is important to address an active arrest warrant as soon as possible. Ignoring it only intensifies the possible consequences and outcomes you’ll inevitably face anyway.  It is better to deal with the situation before authorities eventually track you down and arrest you at home or at work. Not can an on-the-spot arrest happen at the most inconvenient of times, it can jeopardize time with children, family, and your employment, and even cause public embarrassment and shame whether you are guilty or not.

Cops Can Find You at Any Given Time

For minor offenses such as traffic violations and skipped court dates, police will most likely not use their time to track you down; however, for major offenses like DUIs, hit and rungs, drug possession charges, theft, and assault, law enforcement are likely to stop by your home or place of employment to look for you.

It is most common for individuals with active arrest warrants to be found or discovered when they are pulled over for standard traffic violations, like speeding or a defective tail light. During these routine stops, police run the vehicle’s plates; and when this happens, any warrant will show up immediately during the routine background check process.

How to Look Up Arrest Warrants

There are instances when even the most responsible individuals have arrest warrants issued for them.  In the case that a person accidentally forgets to pay a speeding or parking ticket, a warrant will be issued for their arrest unless they make retribution at the court house.  In this same case, it is still very likely that they will be arrested, booked, processed, and then released on bail for the infraction. 

Another instance that a person has an active warrant, but has committed no crime, is identity theft.  Criminal identity theft is a common crime that puts innocent people in troubling predicaments.  In the case that someone has stolen your identity and committed a crime, it is important to retain legal services and contact a reputable bail bondsman for assistance.

Where to Get Trusted Bail Bond Assistance

Contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, 24 hour bail bond services in Indiana. Not only can we get you out of jail fast, we can prearrange a bail bond if you need to surrender to an arrest warrant. And we provide our services in over 30 Indiana counties, regardless of time, day, or city. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

How to Get Out of Jail on Valentine’s Day

Holidays are important to us all, which is why we choose to celebrate them with loved ones. Valentine’s Day is a perfect example of such, so it is no surprise that people have all sorts of plans today with their special someone. And even those without a date still like to celebrate Gal-entine’s or Pal-entine’s Day!” However, with beloved celebration often comes imbibing in our favorite alcoholic beverages. This leads to an increase rate of arrests in Indiana; but don’t panic if your friend or loved one is arrested; you can still obtain a bail bond, even on a holiday!

Continue reading to learn how to get out of jail on Valentine’s Day.

Valentines Day Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Valentine’s Day Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Most bail bond companies are open on holidays. In fact, some bail bondsmen operate 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. If you are looking for 24 hour bail bonds in Indiana, contact Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for the fastest and most affordable service. In the meantime, review these steps to bailing someone out of jail today:

Step One

Your first step to getting someone out of jail is to make a choice on how you would like to pay the bond. You have two primary options: you can pay the bond amount in full directly to the jail, or you can obtain a bail bond for a non-refundable fee that is only a fraction of the total bond amount. Since most people do not have thousands of dollars of cash to just give up to the courts, most people use a bail bond. If this is how you choose, go to step two.

Step Two

Your second step in the process is to contact a local and trusted bail bond company. There are numerous bail bondsmen out there claiming to provide quality service, but be very careful who you choose; it is vital to hire a seasoned and experienced bail bondsman that has been in business for a long time. This shows that they have a good and long-standing relationship with the local jails and courthouses, and can probable provide faster, more secure bail bond service.

Last Step

Once you choose a local and licensed Indiana bail bond company, simply put the remainder of the work in their hands. They will handle everything from then on out. Simply show up at their office, provide all the necessary information needed to acquire a bail bond for your loved one, sign the bail bond agreement, and then make your payment. You can then choose to pick up your friend or loved one at the jail, or you can choose to have the bail bondsman pick them up and take them back to the office where you are waiting.

IMPORTANT: If you decide to sign a bail bond agreement to get a friend or loved one out of jail, it is CRITICAL that you understand the terms, as well as, your personal responsibility. Read our blog, “The Responsibilities of a Bail Bond Contract” before you decide to bail someone out of jail.

Need to Get Someone Out of Jail Today?

Indiana Bail Bonds
Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-745-6500

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust. We also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour. And don’t forget that right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.

How Bail Bonds Keep People Employed

Most people are aware of how bail bond companies operate, and how to use a bail bond. However, many people do not fully comprehend the importance behind bail bond services, especially when it comes to maintaining your quality of life. Among all the various benefits of bail bonds, one of the most important advantages is the effort to keep people employed. In turn, this effort allows families to maintain the quality of life they need to care for themselves, their children, and any other dependents.  

Continue reading to learn how bail bonds allow people to keep their jobs while dealing with criminal matters, as well as, who to trust for the fastest and most secure bail bond services in Indiana.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Bail Bonds and Employment

When a person is arrested, whether for an infraction, misdemeanor, or felony offense, they are guaranteed to enter into a legal process, even if the charges are eventually dropped. Whenever a person is cited or arrested for an offense, certain matters must be addressed with various parties of the law, which may or may not include DA’s, prosecutors, courts, lawyers, probation officers, and more.

So what does all of this have to do with employment? The answer is time. All of these efforts and responsibilities require time, which can take away from work hours. In more serious arrest cases, jail time can keep employees off the clock for much longer than they can afford, or worse, allowed by their employers. You can imagine the consequences of being arrested and not being able to show up for work; it is very possible for employers to suspend or let go employees who miss work due to criminal matters.

Why Bail Bonds Help Employees

Bail bonds offers workable solutions to missing work due to criminal charges and arrests. Not only do bail bond companies provide 24 hour services, which allow jail remediation at all times of the day and in emergencies, they also provide a long list of amenities and customer conveniences to make the process more efficient for all parties involved.

For instance, many bail bondsmen offer prearranged bail bond services for those who are issued an arrest warrant. This expedites the surrendering and booking process, and allows individuals to turn themselves in and be released from jail in as little as one hour. Additional services include pick up and drop off assistance at the jail to the bail bondsman office, as well as, free estimates, free jail information, and more.

How to Guarantee Fast Bail Bond Service

Be sure to choose a reputable and licensed bail bond company that has been established in the county for many years. These are the companies that can offer the best amenities and the most trusted bail bond services.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600
Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 to skip the hassle of searching for the best bail bondsmen in Indiana. We offer 24 hour bail bond services in more than 30 Indiana counties, including Marion, Hamilton, Hendricks, Hancock, and more! We also offer free pickup and drop off services to and from the jail, prearranged bail bonds, immigration bail bonds, probation violation bail bonds, and notary services. Request a free estimate, anytime.

Personal Information You Must Provide as a Bail Bond Applicant

Whether you are managing your own bail, or posting for someone else, you will have to sign a bail bond agreement. A bail bond agreement is a standard legal contract that holds you liable for the remainder of the bond amount in the occurrence that the defendant (you or your loved one) does not appear for court. Along with signing a bail bond contract and paying a non-refundable fee, you will be required to provide a certain degree of personal information to the bail bond agent in exchange for their services.

Continue reading to learn which personal information you can expect to divulge as a bail bond applicant.

Indiana Bail Bonds

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600


Bail bondsmen charge a non-refundable fee that is a small percentage of the total bond amount, while covering the rest of the bond amount out of their own pockets. They forfeit this money if they cannot guarantee your appearance in court. So when you consider the position of a bail bondsman, you can understand why it is important for them to gather as much information about the person as they possibly can. This information is simply added security that helps ensure the defendant’s presence in court.

Here is some common information that you will be required to disclose to a bail bond company in exchange for their services:

Full Name

If you are posting for someone else, you will have to provide the full names of the defendant and yourself. If you are posting your own bail, expect to provide your full legal name, including your first name, middle name, last name, and any suffixes. Any slang, nicknames, and street names will not be accepted.

Contact Information

You will be required to give all of your contact information to the bail bondsman, including a current phone number, home address, email address, and the phone number to the place of your employment. They may also ask if you are on social media platforms and contact information of close family, roommates, and friends.

Physical Description

A bail bondsmen may or may not decide to take down a physical description. It depends on many factors, primarily personal preference, but also for high-risk cases or flight risks. Included in a physical description may be the description of your primary vehicle too. They may take pictures or just jot down what it all looks like.

Employment Information

You can expect to provide all information for your job. This includes the address, phone number, contact information for your supervisors, and more. You will also have to provide proof of employment, either with recent paycheck stubs or whatever else the bail bondsmen requests. They may also want a copy of your work schedule.

Birth Records

You will also be required to provide your legal date of birth, and the place you were born. This includes the day of your birth, the city or town of your birth, and the state of your birth. A bail bond agent may need this information in the case that they must look up your governmental records, such as court and arrest records.

Legal Documents

Of course, you will need to provide legal documentation as proof of all the information listed above. Accepted legal documents include social security cards or numbers, birth certificates, drivers’ license, state identification card, passport, recent piece of mail as proof of address, and more. Of these documents, you can expect to be required to provide your social security number, a recent piece of mail or official contract that proves your address, and a valid drivers’ license or state identification card.

References

You may also be required to provide more than one reference as proof that you are a qualified bail bond applicant. References will have to be provided in the form of phone number and address, and can be teachers, bosses, co-workers, colleagues, or even family members.

Illegal Alien Numbers

If you are posting bail for an immigrant or illegal alien, you will need to provide the I.N.S. A#, which helps identify them on a federal level, such as immigration court cases and status checks.

Where to Get Fast and Easy Indiana Bail Bonds

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional, 24 hour bail bond services in Indiana. Owner, James Woods, and his team of licensed and insured bail agents, provide 24 hour bail bonds in over 30 Indiana counties. Regardless of time, day, or city, we can get you out of jail fast, and for as low as 8% of your total bond! Request a free estimate, anytime.

Learn What Woods Bail Bonds Can Do For You!

Here at Woods Bail Bonds, we understand that an arrest of a loved one is a difficult and confusing time for our clients. So to help put them at ease, we offer superior customer support, reasonable bail bond rates, and several customer amenities. But the best part is, we are currently offering 8% bail bonds! Not only is this the lowest bail bond rate offered in years, it is a rate you can’t find anywhere else!

Continue below to see what all Woods Bail Bonds can do for you!

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Woods Bail Bonds of Indiana

Woods Bail Bonds is a licensed, insured, and bonded company based out of Indianapolis, but also provides safe and secure bail bond services throughout Northern, Central, and Southern Indiana. In fact, we serve over 33 Indiana counties with reliable, 24 hour bail bonds. With more than three decades of experience in the indemnity industry, we have rightfully earned and upheld good-standing relationships with local courthouses and jails all across the state.

These professional relationships are what set us apart from our competitor; it allows our team of licensed bail bondsmen to deliver fast and professional bail bond services for anyone arrested or surrendering to an arrest warrant in Indiana. As a family owned and operated business, their team includes owner Jim Woods, office manager Teresa Woods, and their son, Vice President Nicholas Woods. All three are eager to help obtain a safe and prompt release from any Indiana county jail!

Marion County Bail Bonds

The one of the main headquarters for Woods Bail Bonds is located in Downtown Indianapolis, right around the corner from the Marion County Jail. Over the course of 30 years, we have established close ties with the local courthouses and jails, giving us an advantage in this area of the city. Take a look at all the bail bond services we offer, below.

Our Bail Bond Services Include:

    24 Hour Bail Bonds
    Emergency Bail Bonds
    Discreet Bail Bonds
    Pre-Arranged Bail
    Inmate Lookups
    State Bonds
    Federal Bonds
    Probation Violation Bonds
    Arrest Warrant Bonds
    Bench Warrant Bonds
    Property Bonds
    Immigration Bonds
    Cash Bonds
    Notary Service
    Free Jail Information
    Free Jail Pickup and Drop Off
    Free Estimates
    And More!

How to Get Started With a Bail Bond

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust. We also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour. And don’t forget that right now, we are offering 8% bail bonds! Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.

Do I Need a Bail Bond for a Minor?

When a minor is arrested, the process of releasing them from detention is separate from adults. In Indiana, and most other states, bail is not set in the juvenile system. If a court believes that a minor should be released from detainment, then the minor will be released. However, if a court thinks that it is in the minor’s best interest to remain in custody, then they will.

Continue reading to learn more about juvenile arrests, offenses, and court procedures in Indiana.

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indiana Bail Bonds 317-876-9600


A juvenile is a child 17 years old or younger. They can commit two kinds of crimes: a delinquent offense or a status offense. A delinquent offense is a crime that is also committed by adults, such as theft, battery, drug possession, and unlicensed driving. A status offense is a crime that can only be committed by minors, such as underage drinking, curfew violations, truancy, and running away from home.

Juvenile Arrests

When arrested, they are transported to the nearest juvenile detention center where they will be held for up to 48 hours, until their initial hearing. Depending on the minor’s age, criminal history, and severity of offense, a few different things can happen at their hearing.

In some cases, a minor will not go to court and sit before a judge at all; instead they are given the opportunity to abide by an informal plan with probation. Other times, a minor may need to go before a judge and have their offense adjudicated. If this happens, the judge has the discretion to either close the case, send the minor home with their legal guardians and place them on a strict probation program, or send them to the Department of Correction.

A minor may also be sentenced to go to counseling, meet with a mentor or life coach, perform community service, go to school, and much more. On a probation program, minors are on constant supervision and required to meet with a probation officer regularly to assess their performance.

Juvenile Rights

Fortunately, minors have several rights in the legal system, but there are some rights that only adults are entitled to. For example, every juvenile has the right to a lawyer or public defender. On the other hand, minors cannot request a trial by jury. Only adults can do this. Juvenile cases can only be heard by a judge. Furthermore, according to The Indiana Public Defender Council, “There is NO right to bond or bail in juvenile cases, meaning you cannot pay to get out of detention.” Visit IN.gov to learn all of your rights at trial.

Do You Have Questions About Bail?

Indiana Bail Bonds

Danville Bail Bonds 317-745-6500

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for prompt and professional Indianapolis bail bond services, information, and advice you can trust. Owner, James Woods, and his team of licensed and insured bail agents, provide 24 hour bail bonds in over 30 Indiana counties. Regardless of time, day, or city, we can get you out of jail fast, and for as low as 8% of your total bond! Request a free estimate, anytime.

How to Post Bail With Bad Credit

Although posting bail will not negatively affect your credit score, obtaining a bail bond may pose some difficulties if you have bad credit or low cash availability. Continue reading to learn how to post bail when you do not have enough cash nor credit limit to pay for the bail premium.

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Credit Scores

The actual act of posting bail for someone will not negatively impact your credit score. It is the form of payment you choose, as well as, failure to obey the terms and conditions of bail, than can affect your credit. For example, if you pay the bail premium with cash, your credit score is not effected. However, if you take out a loan to pay for the bail premium, and then fail to pay the loan back, your credit score will likely be effected.

Low Credit Limits and Cash Reserves

But what about those who do not have enough credit or cash to pay for the full bail premium set by the presiding judge? The answer is a bail bond. When a person does not have the cash to pay for the full bail premium, they have the fortunate option of using a bail bond company.

Bail premiums are generally very high, usually in the thousands. For example: if a person’s bail is set at $10,000 for a drunk driving charge, they would have to fork up that amount in cash and pay it to the courts to get out of jail. But who has that kind of cash laying around? Not many people do.

So what’s the alternative?

An Indianapolis bail bond company will charge a 10 to 15 percent fee of the total bail premium, and cover the rest with their own assets. So long as the defendant appears for all scheduled court hearings, they will get their money back. Although the fee you pay out of pocket is not refundable, it is significantly less than having to pay the entire amount. In the case that your loved one’s bail is set at $10,000, you can expect a bail bond to cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500.

Using a Credit Card to Pay a Bail Premium

Even if you have enough credit limit on your credit card to cover the entire bail premium, doing so can really cost you. Many credit card companies will treat this charge as a credit card cash advance, which can be extremely expensive. In fact, some will charge a 3% fee plus interest that is higher than your typical interest fee. And on top of all that, the fees begin accruing immediately without any grace period.

So what starts as a $10,000 charge could quickly turn into an additional $12,000 within 6 months. That comes out to $22,000 for a $10,000 bail. Although you get the original $10,000 back if the defendant appears for all scheduled court hearings, you still end up pay more than that amount just to cover it on a credit card. And to think: a bail bond would have only cost a one-time fee of $1,000 to $1,500.

How to Get Started

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Indianapolis Bail Bonds 317-876-9600

Call Woods Bail Bonds at 317-876-9600 for safe and secure Indianapolis bail bonds you can trust. We also offer prearranged bail bond services for those needing to surrender to an arrest warrant. In some cases, we can get you turned in and released in as little as one hour! Request a free estimate or jail information, anytime.